Spring support



Nov. 28, 1944. A, .1. Lor-iPslNGER 2,363,538

- SPRING SUPPORT Filed Sept. 30, 1943 n Patented Nov. 28, 1944 SPRING SUPPORT Albert J. Loepsinger, Providence, R. I., assignor Vto GrinnellCorporation, Providence,

corporation of Delaware R. I., a

Application September 30, 1943, Serial No. 504,508`

` v4 claims. (c1. 24S- 54.)

This invention relates v.to improvements in spring supports. More especially it has to do with dampening-means incorporated in such a support.

.When a load which is yieldingly supported bel comes subject to a vibratory influence, the load `will take on a vibrating motion having a frequency corresponding to that of the actuating iniiuence. If theyieldable support `is provided by a spring the motionof the` load setup by the `vibration will be enhanced if the frequency of the vibrations is the same as `the frequency of `the loaded spring. When this occurs, the excessive reciprocating movement of the load may cause serious damage and if permitted to continue may result `in fatigue failure of otherwise sufficiently strong` elements.` Such a condition of enhanced vibration `could be corrected by changing the spring. to one of a different naturalfrequency, but this is not always a convenient changeto make-and in any event may prove` to be a relief for onlya particular condition because if the frequency of the vibrating influence should change to that of the substituted spring, the situation would then be no better `than previously corrected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in a spring support adjustable means to give ordinary springsupport having a casing lll which can be connected to some suitablesupport via a l tie member i2 attached to the top lila of the casing. This top maybe welded or otherwise secured to the body of the casing. At the bottom of the casing is an inturned annularflange [lib which constitutes a seat furthe bottom end of a load spring I4. The upper end of this spring rests against aplate I6 from whose center depends a tie rod -l8 which is suitably connected withthe load to be supported. q

With such a support, as thus far described, the load spring has a frequency depending upon the spring constant and the Weight of the load. If the load should be subjected to a vibratory influence having also a` frequency like thatV of the loaded spring, asynchronous condition would occur which would cause the load to vibrate, that is, move upward and downward excessively. If this condition were to continue the extent of movement of the load wouldbecome so great as opposed frequencieswhen the load movesfrom one side to the other of its normal position. This l dampening means and thereafter in case a synchronous condition should develop such means could readily be added to the installed support. l

Because the improved support provides opposed to rupture some otherwise sufciently strong ele-` nient. For example if the load were a pipe carrying superheated steam at a high pressure, and this pipe were subjected to a vibratory influence whose frequency was the `same as that of the loaded springthepipe would move increasing amounts until it or `some fitting gave way. l This` into a synchronous condition with that of any frequencies it completely avoids the undesired l synchronous situation which is so dangerous.

The best modes in which I have contemplated apply the principles of my invention are shown in the accompanying drawing but these are to be .I-l of Figure 2, showing a spring support embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a section as on line 2-2 of Figure 1; andv .Figure 3 is a section as on line 3--3 of Figure 1.`

Referring to the drawing and especially to .Figure 1, my improvements may be applied to an vibratory influence.

If the support thus far described has been in use in the field, it can be temporarily removed and my dampening means applied thereto. A spring 2t, an adjusting sleeve 22, another spring 24, and a feeler sleeve 26 are slipped onto the extended end of the rod I8. This rod is preferably threaded as is also a collar 28 so that the latter can be screwed along the rod, behind the other parts just'enumerated. l

The casing should be held fixed and a load imposed on the rod i8` equivalent to the load carried by the support. This will depress the spring I4 and move the plate I6 to the positionit normally occupies when the support is in use. The adjusting sleeve 22 has a top inturned flange 22a upon which the upperspring 20 seats and against which the lower spring 24 may be imposed. The sleeve 22 is screwed into the casing l0 (there being threads on the sleeve and threads on the inner edge ofv the flange lb for this purpose) until the inner spring 20 just makes contact with the plate I6. The collar 28 is then screwed along the rod IB until the outer spring 24, which seats on an inturned flange 29a of the feeler sleeve 26, l

engages the inturned flange 22a of the adjusting sleeve 22. The collar 28 can then be locked in position by a nut 3U, 0r otherwise suitably secured to the rod I8.

' an adjustable seat interposed between said resil- When the collar` has been secured to the rod in one wayv or another, thersupport can be re-` installed in its place and the load applied.-

Thereafter the adjusting sleeve 22 can be screwed in or out to adjust the sleeve so that its inturned flange 22a will be -just barely in contact, or very nearly so, with the upper end of spring 24. This is readily determined by the ease with which the feeler sleeve 26 can be turned by hand, and if the upper spring has been properly selected as' to length, it will also be justbarely in contact, or nearly so, with the plate i6 and the flange 22a of the adjusting sleeve. When the latter sleeve is properly positioned it can be secured in place by a lock'nut 32.

If nowthe load is subjected to a vibratory inluence which tends to move it up and down, the two auxiliary springs at once become active. When the load moves upward, the lower spring 24 is compressed and acts against this 'upward movement. Likewise .when the `load moves downward below its normal position the spring 20 becomes compressed and acts against this downward movement. In. short, regardless of which way the load moves, it at once becomes subject to the combined action of two springs, that is, the load spring and one of the two auxiliary springs. riChus the frequency of the support shifts from vthat of one pair of springs to that of the other ient means; and means for adjusting the said seat to avoid action of both resilient means when the load is being supported in its normal position.

2. A spring support comprising a casing connected to a support and having a seat for a load spring; a load spring resting on said seat; an element resting onsaid load spring and connected to movement thereof only when the load moves l away from its normal position.

3. A spring Support having -a casing connected with a support; an element connected to and movable with a load; a load spring interposed between the casing and the element and adapted to supportthe load in its normal position and permit movement `therefrom in opposite directions; auxiliary springs arranged to act on the element and oppose movement of the load in both directions away from its normal position; and means adjustable from outside said casing for determining the point at which the said opposition of the auxiliary springs becomes effective.

4. A spring support comprising a load spring arranged to support a load in a normal position and to permit `movement of the load above and below said position; auxiliary springs arranged to oppose movement of said load away from said position; an adjustable stop for said auxiliary springs; and means for vadjusting said stop t0y render said auxiliary springs inactive when the load is in the said normal position.

' ALBERT J LOEPSINGER. 

